French Antique Miniature Portrait
This French antique miniature of a lady has been signed in the lower right hand side. She is elegantly dressed in a blue gown with pink roses. This miniature has been tastefully framed in natural wood, with intricate detail around the inner edge. On the reverse side the back of the portrait has been finished with old French print.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait is in excellent condition. The frame measures by 11.5 11.5 cms cms.
This French antique miniature of a lady has been signed in the lower right hand side. She is elegantly dressed in a blue gown with pink roses. This miniature has been tastefully framed in natural wood, with intricate detail around the inner edge. On the reverse side the back of the portrait has been finished with old French print.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait is in excellent condition. The frame measures by 11.5 11.5 cms cms.
This French antique miniature of a lady has been signed in the lower right hand side. She is elegantly dressed in a blue gown with pink roses. This miniature has been tastefully framed in natural wood, with intricate detail around the inner edge. On the reverse side the back of the portrait has been finished with old French print.
Miniature portraits first appeared in the courts of Europe in the 16th century. By the 18th century they were popular and widespread. They developed from the art of ‘illuminating’ handwritten books with illustrations and decorative borders. It is sometimes referred to as ‘limning’ a derivative of the term ‘minium’ or the red lead used by medieval illuminators. Miniature portraits were usually created on prepared card, copper or ivory. Gouache, watercolour or enamel was used on these surfaces. They were highly popular amongst the 16th century elites and remained popular until the development of the photograph is the mid19th century. Miniature portraits were often given as intimate gifts within family and friends or by optimistic males during courtship. On some occasions they were given as diplomatic gifts. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted onto copper became popular, especially in France. By the 18th century, portraits were painted with watercolour on ivory because it was relatively cheap to do so. They were often fitted into lockets, inside watch covers or pieces of jewellery so that they could be carried on the person. Sometimes miniature portraits were framed and placed on a stand, hung on the wall or fitted into snuff boxes. Some well known miniature portrait artists included, Jean Clouet (1485-1540), Francoise Clouet (1510-1572), Jean Petitot (1607-1672) and Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).
This miniature portrait is in excellent condition. The frame measures by 11.5 11.5 cms cms.
